Amazing Graze

A publication of The Ohio State University Extension, Edward M. Vollborn, Editor
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September, 1998

Dear Friend:

I trust that everyone has implemented their fall stockpile plan with nitrogen or composted manure in place of awaiting adequate rainfall to generate high quality fall and winter pasture. Turnips should be planted and plans for rye, triticale or wheat for late fall and March grazing are taking place. In our region we are currently seeing big differences between continuous graze pastures and controlled graze cells. The paddocks that have been managed have "green, high quality" forage (would be taller with more rain) while the continueous graze pastures are either grazed to the root or have just become dried up filler material. What an educational moment for your neighbor who has been slow to implement a controlled grazing program!

In January of 1996, Mr. Bob Oerdel, a retired conservationist from one of the southern states wrote a feature article for Land and Water Magazine. Mr. Oerdel titled his article "Healing the Land With Grass and Cattle." While the article featured the year round grazing efforts of Bob Evans, the title still attracts interest from around the country. Some two and one-half years later, I am still getting requests for more information as a result of this one article.

With soil erosion and pesticide use potentially being reduced by 90 percent or more, I am sure that this interest will continue. Graziers - - don't forget to remind everyone that grazing farms are environmentally friendly!

Plan to take time to attend a field day/pasture walk in your area. Stop by your local County Extension Office for a copy of the new OSU Extension Bulletin 872 - "Maximizing Fall and Winter Grazing of Beef Cows and Stocker Cattle."

Sincerely,

Edward M. Vollborn

Leader, Grazing Program

OSU Extension, South District

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Special Events:

September 12, 1998: Grazing Field Day, 9-12 noon, John Fetters Farm, Minford, OH (Scioto County), Guest speaker is Chris Penrose, Contact person is Rich Sherman, OSU Extension in Scioto County (747.354.7879)

September 15, 1998: Northwest Ohio Pasture Field Day, 6 pm, Alvin Shoop Farm, McComb, OH, Speakers from OSU Extension and Industry, Contact person is Gary Wilson, OSU Extension in Hancock County (419.422.3851)

September 16, 1998: Improving Your Pastures with Fence and Water Systems, Dailey Fence and Supply, Adamsville, OH (Muskingum County), approximately 20 optional sessions offered, Afternoon Session 1-4pm targeted at dairy producers and agricultural agency personnel, Evening Session 6-9pm targeted at beef and sheep producers, Also a Pasture Walk and Demonstration at 4pm, Light Supper at 5pm, Contact OSU Extension in Muskingum County (740.454.0144) or Muskingum SWCD (740.454.2027)

September 26, 1998: Country Living Field Day, Augusta, OH (Carroll County), 10-5 pm, Special feature will be several presentations throughout hte day by internationally known farmer, author and speaker Joel Salatin of Swope, Virginia, Contact OSU Extension in Carroll County (330.647.4310)

October 6-8, 1998: Brown-Highland-Adams Counties Grazing School, Southern State Community College and Day Angus Farm, Contact OSU Extension in Brown County (937.378.6715) or Brown SWCD (513.378.4424)

October 10, 1998: Beef Forage Day at EORDC in Caldwell, OH, Contact EORDC (740.732.2682) or Dave Miller at OSU Extension East District (740.732.2381)

February 15-16, 1999: Great Lakes Grazing Conference, Wooster, OH, Contact Tom Noyes at OSU Extension in Wayne County (330.264.8722)

GRAZING BEHAVIOR OF DAIRY COWS - Hank Bartholomew, Southern Ohio Grazing Coordinator

Several researchers in England measured grazing behavior and forage intake by grazing as influenced by the time of day with producing Holstein milk cows. The cows had been grazing for over 90 days prior to the research and had previous experience wearing the device that measured jaw movements. The cows were milked at 5:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and returned to the paddock to graze at 6;30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The research was done in August when temperatures were 60 degrees F. at night and 80 degrees F. during the day. Sunset was at 8:45 p.m. and sunrise at 6:00 a.m. in this northern latitude.

The cows grazed on average, two hours after the morning turnout with a two hour rest followed by a two and one-half hour late morning graze. Some cows rested longer after the first graze and then grazed longer mid-morning while others had shorter rest periods with three morning graze periods. After the afternoon milking, the cows grazed for approximately one hour with a one hour rest and then the largest graze of the day from 6:30 p.m. until dusk. All cows also had a two hour graze at 2:00 p.m. just before going to the barn for milking.

Biting rate was lowest during the second morning graze (48) and highest at the evening graze (59). The biting rate was intermediate at the two grazings after milking (52).

Bite size on a fresh, wet basis was greatest in the first morning graze, but it was also the lowest on a dry matter basis. The morning grass is very wet with morning dew which reduces the amount of dry matter consumed. This grazing period also had the lowest dry matter intake per minute. The largest bite size on a D.M. basis was the mid-afternoon graze which had the highest intake per minute also.

The cows reacted to approaching nightfall with the highest biting rate and second highest intake per bite and per minute. I had always assumed that cows remained inactive during the night, but this research indicates that there was an important two hour graze in the middle of the night. After taking two hours to clip a two acre pasture last night with two shear pin repairs, I appreciate my cattle's willingness to graze in all conditions and even in the middle of the night. In extreme heat, cattle have been shown to do more grazing during the cooler temperatures of the day and night. How can you beat employees that get themselves up at 2:00 a.m. and go to work? Grazing is great!

Reference: M.J. Gibb, C.A. Huckle, and R. Nuthall, "Effect of Time of Day on Grazing Behavior by Lactating Dairy Cows," Grass and Forage Science, Journal of the British Grassland Society, Vol. 53, No. 1, March.

THE MENINGEAL WORM - William P. Shulaw, DVM, Extension Veterinarian, OSU

In recent year's reports of losses in sheep, goats, and llamas attributed to central nervous system infections with the menigeal worm or "brain worm" of deer appear to have increased. Although cattle are resistant, many other species of ruminants appear to be susceptible. Most animals affected, show signs of incoordination or paralysis, usually of the rear quarters, with varying degrees of inability to move about. Appetite is frequently good until secondary problems, such as pneumonia, complicate the disease picture. Signs can occur all year, however, many cases in Ohio appear in the late summer to late fall or early winter.

The adult parasite is found on the surface of the brain, or its covering (meninges), in white-tailed deer. It seldom causes the deer serious harm unless present in very large numbers. The female worm lays eggs into the veins and venous sinuses covering the brain, and they travel to the lungs where they are filtered out. The embryonated eggs develop into first stage larvae that are coughed up, swallowed, and passed out in the feces. On the ground, they are picked up by several species of terrestrial gastropods (snails and slugs), probably while crawling over fecal pellets. The larvae penetrate the intestinal tract and follow nerve trunks to the spinal canal and migrate toward the brain. The entire cycle appears to take at least 90 days and possibly more.

In the abnormal host, such as sheep, the larvae are picked up during foraging and also migrate to the spinal canal. However, in these unusual hosts, the activity of the larvae generally causes severe disease. This may be because 1) the worm larvae appear to be unusually active and cause considerable nerve tissue damage, 2) they may not leave the nerve tissue and continue to grow in the spinal cord, 3) some hosts may be unusually sensitive, or 4) some larvae mature to the egg laying stage and lay eggs. The signs observed are related to the amount and location of the damage produced.

Prevalence of the worm in deer in Ohio is not completely known. Some research in other states has suggested that the prevalence is related to deer density, however, other studies have shown regional differences and annual differences in similar regions. These probably reflect the prevalence and distribution of the intermediate host, the snail.

Treatment of affected sheep, goats, and llamas is usually unrewarding. Some veterinarians have had limited success in treating valuable llamas and other similar animals with ivermectin or fenbendazole combined with anti-inflamitory drugs and supportive therapy. The diagnosis is confirmed by post mortem examination and requires removal of the spinal cord and brain. Usually microscopic examination is necessary to see the worm(s) or the damage it has produced. Injuries and spinal abscesses may produce similar signs.

Prevention of the disease centers around avoiding exposure to infected gastropods. While aquatic snails are not involved in the transmission of the larvae, the species that act as intermediates are not active during hot, dry weather, and some moisture is necessary for the larvae to penetrate the snail. Farms which have experienced the disease may be able to reduce exposure by fencing off moist areas favorable to the intermediate host, especially during wet periods. Chemical control of the gastropods appears to be impractical and potentially hazardous in grazing areas. Fencing out deer and establishing a buffer zone of short dry vegetation, disked areas creating bare dirt, or graveled lanes around the outside of the fence to limit access to pastures by the snails may be feasible to protect valuable animals.

Some authors have suggested that anthel-mintics active against migrating or hypobiotic nematodes (worms) may interrupt migration of the meningeal worm larvae in abnormal hosts if given periodically (usually monthly) and throughout the grazing season. Controlled studies of this are lacking, and the practice has the potential to create gastrointestinal parasite resistance, a situation perhaps more serious than the meningeal worm. This technique might be valuable for the individual valuable animal but is questionable for production animals such as sheep flocks. Because the disease tends to be sporadic, prevention efforts must be considered in light of potential costs versus benefit.

FORAGE PROTEIN CONTENT: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? - Clif Little, OSU Extension Agent, ANR, Guernsey County

We know that stockpiling fescue and orchardgrass for late season grazing not only increases the total pounds of dry matter produced per acre, but also increases the nutritional quality of the forage. In the fall of 1997 and winter of 1998, we tested this theory on two plots of randomly selected fescue swords. The study took place at the Eastern Ohio Research and Development Center in Belle Valley.

Fifty pounds of actual nitrogen per acre was applied to the stockpiled plot. Initial forage analyses were taken and four months later, January 7, 1998, each plot was forage tested at the Ohio State University Research Extension Analytical Laboratory. The stockplied fescue tested 10.5% crude protein on a dry matter basis and the non-fertilized fescue plot tested 8.2% crude protein.

What difference does this change in crude protein content mean? Consider the nutritional requirements of a 900 pound, two-year old heifer, nursing in the first three to four months postpartum, with milk production of ten pounds per day. Her daily crude protein requirement is 10.4% (as a percent of dry matter).

Grazing the unfertilized fescue, we'll need approximately 1.84 pounds of a 50 percent crude protein commercial supplement per day. Balancing the rations for heifers grazing the stockpiled fescue and non-stockpiled fescue, we have a difference in cost per day of approximately $0.12. Feeding one hundred heifers for sixty days means we would spend an additional $720 in feed for heifers grazing this unfertilized fescue.

Not only does stockpiling pay in terms of increased forage yield, but it also pays in terms of improved forage nutritional quality. Low crude protein levels, below 8%, reduce total dry matter consumption. Stockpiling may increase forage digestibility and intake, improving the performance of your cattle. A two percent change in crude protein doesn't sound like much, but it could mean hundreds or possibly thousands of dollars in terms of feed costs. Forage test to realize your savings.

CLOVER VARIETIES FOR GRAZING IN MICHIGAN - Hank Bartholomew, Southern Ohio Grazing Coordinator

Red, Ladino and Kura Clover were evaluated at the Upper Peninsula Research Center near Chatham, Michigan. This site would have much cooler summers than Ohio, but the results may be of interest. All were seeded in the spring of 1995 as pure stands of legumes. The plots were sampled with a small quadrant to measure dry matter before and after grazing Holstein cows. The difference was the grazed yield. The plots were grazed once in 1995 and four times in 1996 and three in 1997. Rest period between grazings was 30 days.

Clover cultivars were not different in yields until 1997 when the disease resitence of Red Line and Marathon resulted in much higher yields.

When Red Clover was added to the Ladino mixtures, yields were increased by 50 percent. Birdsfoot Trefoil did not increase the yield of Kura Clover. Kura is much slower to establish than other legumes but its persistence and ability to spread through rhizomes makes it a legume to learn more about.

The animals were observed to determine grazing preference. The cows are the Kura, then Ladino and Red Cover in that order.

Table 1. Three year pasture index summary (lbs.?A) of clover grazing trials.

Red Clover Cultivar	1995	1996	1997	Total
Arlington	1790	4519	4876	11185
Astrid	1537	4204	4911	10652
Red Line	851	4595	7643	13089
Marathon	986	4320	10206	15512
Common	1141	4111	5412	10664
White Clover
Ladino + birdsfoot	1826	9303	4456	10185
Ladino + birdsfoot + Red Clover + Alsike	1452	4152	5510	11114
Ladino + Alsike + Red Clover	1799	3647	6708	12154
Kura Clover
Rhizo	1143	3616	5822	10581
Rhizo + birdsfoot	1655	2948	6133	10736

Reference: Michigan Hay and Grazing Council, Hay and Grazier, Vol.IV, No. 1, Spring 1998

BEEF and FORAGE FIELD DAY SCHEDULED

Do you own a herd of beef cows and would like to learn more about management intensive grazing? Would you like to pick up some ideas about cattle handling facilities? Are you interested in using grazing corn, turnips or other alternative forages to extend the grazing season?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, plan to attend the Southern Ohio Beef and Forage Field Day scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 1998 at the Eastern Ohio Resource Development Center near Belle Valley. The field day will start at 9:30 a.m. with registration, and will conclude at 2:30 p.m.

The first session features OSU Extension specialists and agents discussing management intensive grazing, AI breeding, cattle handling facilities, results of a yeast mineral study and multi-flora rose control. After lunch sponsored by the Noble County Cattlemen's Association and commercial exhibitors, presentations will be made on beef quality assurance, the outlook for beef cattle prices, the various uses for FGD and geotextile cloth and results of grazing corn forage and alternative forage plots.

Commercial and educational exhibits will also be on disply and will allow producers the opportunity to learn more about the latest technology and practices available to the cattle industry.

For more details or information, call your local OSU Extension office, East District Extension office (740.732.2381), or the Eastern Ohio Resource and Development Center (740.732.2682).

NEW OSU EXTENSION BULLETIN

A new fifty page grazing bulletin wasreleased by Dr. Bobby Moser, Vice President and Executive Director for the Ohio State University, College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Science at the American Forage and Grasslands Council Leadership Conference hosted in Ohio a month ago. While forage leaders from across the U.S. were the first to see the new publication, it is now available at County Extension offices in Ohio.

Bulletin 872 - "Maximizing Fall nad Winter Grazing of Beef Cows and Stocker Cattle" is a result of more than a year's work by Dr. Steve Boyles and members of the OSU Integrated Forage Team. Dr. Boyles, OSU Beef Specialist, gave leadership to bringing this publication to life. Literature citations are houghout the bulletin and probably make it one of the most credible resources available.

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All educational programs and activities conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to all potential clientele on a non- discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.

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Updated on September 16, 1998 by Stan Smith